Sealing system for movable window of rear window assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a unitary perimeter seal for attachment at a fixed window panel of a slider window assembly of a vehicle includes forming upper, lower and side sealing portions each having elongated body portions and sealing lips extending substantially therealong. The upper and lower sealing portion are arranged with first ends adjacent a respective end of a first side sealing portion and second ends adjacent a respective end of a second side sealing portion. The sealing portions are arranged so as to result in a perimeter frame that circumscribes an opening for the slider window assembly. Corner regions are molded at and partially over adjacent ends of the elongated body portions of the sealing portions, such that the corner regions include a curved sealing lip that provides a transition between the sealing lips of the adjacent ends of the sealing portions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/510,353, filed Oct. 9, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,475,364, whichclaims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/890,462 filed Oct. 14, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slider window assembly for a vehicleand, more particularly, a rear slider window assembly for a vehicle and,more particularly, a rear slider window assembly for a pickup truck orthe like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a slider window assembly for an opening of avehicle, such as a rear slider window assembly for a rear opening of apickup truck. Conventional slider window assemblies for rear openings oftrucks or the like typically include three or more panels, such as twofixed window panels and a slidable window panel. The slidable windowpanel is supported by rails and may be moved along the rails to open andclose the window. The slidable window panel may be driven or moved by acable drive system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rear slider window assembly that has aunitarily formed perimeter seal for sealing the movable window panelrelative to the fixed window panels when the movable window panel isclosed. The perimeter seal comprises elongated sealing portions withcorner sealing portions molded or formed at the adjacent ends ofrespective elongated sealing portions to form a continuous perimeterseal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a rear slider windowassembly of a vehicle (such as a pickup truck or the like) includes aframe portion having an upper rail and a lower rail. First and secondspaced apart fixed window panels (or a single fixed window panel with anaperture formed therethrough) are fixed relative to the frame portionand define or establish an opening therebetween. A movable window panelis movable along the upper and lower rails and is movable between aclosed position, where the movable window panel is disposed at theopening, and an opened position, where the movable window panel isdisposed at least partially along the first fixed window panel. Aunitarily formed or continuous perimeter seal is established at thefixed window panel or panels and around or circumscribing the opening.The seal is configured to slidingly and sealingly engage the surface ofthe movable window panel as the movable window panel moves between itsopened and closed position and to substantially seal against the surfaceof the movable window panel when the movable window panel is closed overthe opening, with the seal engaging the surface of the movable windowpanel about the periphery of the movable window panel.

The seal is formed as a continuous seal having an upper portion or leg,a lower portion or leg and opposite side portions or legs extendingbetween and joining to the upper and lower portions or legs. Each sealportion or leg comprises an extruded seal having a selectedconfiguration or shape, with the end regions of each seal portion or legbeing joined to the end portions of adjacent seal portions or legs, suchas via overmolding a corner seal portion or element at the adjacent orabutting end regions.

The unitary or continuous perimeter seal of the present invention thusprovides a continuous seal about the opening of the window assembly andmay be readily attached or adhered to the fixed window panel or panelsduring manufacture of the window assembly. The seal of the presentinvention comprises a continuous sealing element or seal that does nothave separate pieces or gaps at the corners and thus provides forenhanced sealing at the movable window panel when the movable windowpanel is closed.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pickup truck having a rear sliderwindow assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear slider window assembly having awindow seal of the present invention, shown with the movable windowpanel removed;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rear slider window assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the rear slider window assembly ofFIG. 2, shown with the upper and lower rails removed;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rear slider window assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the window seal of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the window seal taken along the line A-Ain FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the window seal taken along the line B-Bin FIG. 6;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the window seal taken along the line C-Cin FIG. 6;

FIG. 6D is a sectional view of the window seal taken along the line D-Din FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is another plan view of the window seal of FIG. 6, as viewed fromthe opposite side of the seal as FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the window seal of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged perspective view of the area A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged perspective view of the area B in FIG. 8;

FIG. 8C is an enlarged perspective view of the area C in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 8D is an enlarged perspective view of the area D in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a rear slider window assembly 10 of a vehicle 12 (such as apickup truck or the like) includes a fixed window panel 16 (or a pair ofside fixed window panels or fixed window panel portions) having anopening 18 established therethrough, and a movable window panel 20 thatis movable relative to a frame or rails 22, 24 and fixed window panel 16between an opened position and a closed position (FIGS. 1-3). The railsinclude an upper rail 22 and a lower rail 24, with the upper and loweredge regions of movable window panel 20 (FIG. 1) movably or slidablyreceived in and along the respective upper and lower rails 22, 24. Thewindow assembly 10 includes a perimeter seal 26 disposed at the fixedwindow panels and around window opening or aperture 18 establishedbetween the side panel portions of the fixed panel 16. When the movablewindow panel is closed, the perimeter seal 26 seals against a perimeterregion of the surface of the movable window panel that faces the fixedwindow panel. The perimeter seal comprises a unitary continuous sealthat is constructed via a two shot or multi-shot molding process, asdiscussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, window assembly 10 comprises ahole-in-glass window configuration, where the single fixed glass panelhas an aperture or hole or opening established therethrough to defineseparate spaced apart fixed window panels or panel portions. The windowassembly may utilize aspects of the window assemblies described in U.S.Publication No. 2003-0213179, and/or such as in RE41502, and/or such asin International Publication Nos. WO 2012/037190 and/or WO 2012/088287,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Optionally, the window assembly may comprise two fixedwindow panels or panel portions that are spaced apart so as to define anopening therebetween (and with upper and lower appliqués or trim orfiller panels or elements disposed at the upper and lower regions of theopening and between the fixed window panels).

Upper and lower rails 22, 24 may comprise any suitable channel or railelement configured to slidably receive an upper or lower edge portion ofthe movable window panel. Slider or movable window panel 20 is movablealong lower rail 24 and upper rail 22 of frame portion 14 to open andclose the aperture or opening, such as in a manner similar to knownslider window assemblies. The movable window panel 20 may include or maybe disposed at a lower carrier, which may receive the lower perimeteredge region of the slider window panel 20 therein and is slidably ormovably received in the channel portion of the lower rail 24 of frameportion 14.

The perimeter seal 26 comprises a continuous one-piece or unitarilyformed seal having a first side leg or portion 28, an upper leg orportion 30, a second side leg or portion 32 and a lower leg or portion34. Each of the sealing legs or portions 28, 30, 32, 34 has a respectiveelongated body portion or base portion 28 a, 30 a, 32 a, 34 a that hasan attachment surface or element or portion 28 b, 30 b, 32 b, 34 b forattaching at the fixed window panel or panels and around the opening.For example, the attachment element may comprise an adhesive stripestablished along the body portion of the respective sealing leg foradhesively attaching the perimeter seal 26 to the fixed window panelaround the opening (such as to portions of the fixed window panel thathave a darkened or opaque or non-light-transmissive coating 17established thereat). The perimeter seal thus may be adhered orotherwise attached to the surface of the fixed window panel (with theadhesive strip attached at the back of the elongated body portion andhaving a removable film or cover that is removed to expose the adhesivefor attaching at the window panel) around the opening so as tocircumscribe the opening or aperture (or, for two fixed window panelconfigurations, the perimeter seal may be adhered or otherwise attachedto the surfaces of the fixed window panels and to the upper and lowerappliqués so as to circumscribe the opening).

Each of the legs or portions 28, 30, 32, 34 of perimeter seal 26 has arespective seal configuration comprising a respective sealing lip 28 c,30 c, 32 c, 34 c established along and formed or extruded with the baseportion, as discussed in detail below. Also, each of the legs or sealportions 28, 30, 32, 34 has its end regions joined to adjacent endregions of adjacent ones of the other sealing legs or portions via arespective corner molding or seal portion 38, 40, 42, 44 having a curvedseal or lip 38 a, 40 a, 42 a, 44 a that is molded with or to or over theend regions of the sealing lip 28 c, 30 c, 32 c, 34 c of the respectivelegs or portions 28, 30, 32, 34, as also discussed in detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seal portions 28, 30, 32, 34 providea desired sealing lip configuration for their particular application orposition or orientation relative to the movable window panel. Forexample, seal portion 28 is at the side of the window opening at whichthe movable window panel will slide along as it is opened and closed,and thus may have a sealing lip configuration that seals against thewindow panel as it is moved in either direction, while seal portion 32is at the side of the window opening at which the movable window panelwill be moved to when it is closed, and thus may have a sealing lipconfiguration that is configured for engagement with the window panelduring only small movement of the window panel, and the upper and lowerseal portions 30, 34 are configured to seal against the surface of thewindow panel as the window panel moves in a longitudinal direction alongthe seal portions 30, 34.

As best shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, 8, 8A and 8D, seal portion 28 has aY-shaped sealing lip configuration having an inner flexible lip 28 cthat flexes or curves away from an outer lip 28 d and extends betweenrespective corner curved seals or lips 38 a and 42 a, with the outerflexible lip 28 d extending substantially the length of the seal portion28. As best shown in FIGS. 6, 6C, 8, 8B and 8C, seal portion 32 has adouble lip configuration having two flexible lips 32 c, 32 d that flexor curve in the closing direction of the movable window panel so thatthe lips 32 c, 32 d seal against the surface of the movable window panelas it is closed. As best shown in FIGS. 6, 6B, 8, 8A and 8B, the upperseal portion 30 comprises a single lip seal configuration having asingle flexible sealing lip 30 c that flexes towards the opening (suchas in a downward direction for the upper seal portion 30) and slidablyengages the upper perimeter region of the surface of the movable windowpanel as the panel moves between its opened and closed positions.Likewise, and as best shown in FIGS. 6, 6D, 8, 8C and 8D, the lower sealportion 34 comprises a single lip seal configuration having a singleflexible sealing lip 34c that flexes towards the opening (such as in anupward direction for the lower seal portion 34) and slidably engages thelower perimeter region of the surface of the movable window panel as thepanel moves between its opened and closed positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as best seen with reference to FIGS.8A-D, The corner sealing portions 38, 40, 42, 44 are molded orovermolded or otherwise formed at the end regions of adjacent sealinglegs or portions to provide a continuous sealing lip between the sealinglips of the adjacent sealing legs or portions. For example, and withreference to FIG. 8A, the inner lip 28 c of sealing leg 28 is truncatedor shortened or cut relative to the outer sealing lip 28 d (whichextends at least substantially the length of the sealing leg 28) at theupper end of the sealing leg, and the sealing lip 38 a of corner sealingportion 38 is molded to or at the truncated end of inner lip 28 c, whilethe sealing lip 30 c of upper sealing leg 30 is truncated or shortenedor cut relative to the length of the body 30 a of the sealing leg 30,and the sealing lip 38 a of corner sealing portion 38 is molded to or atthe truncated end of inner lip 30 c. The curved sealing lip 38 a thusprovides a curved continuous transition between the generally verticallyoriented upper end of the side sealing lip 28 c and the generallyhorizontally oriented end of the upper sealing lip 30 c. The cornersealing portion 38 also includes a corner or base portion 38 b that ispartially overmolded over the body portions 28 a, 30 a of the sealinglegs 28, 30 to substantially retain corner sealing portion 38 at thesealing legs 28, 30 and to substantially retain the sealing legs in thegenerally perpendicular arrangement or configuration relative to oneanother.

Similarly, and with reference to FIG. 8D, the inner lip 28 c of sealingleg 28 is also truncated or shortened or cut relative to the outersealing lip 28 d at the lower end of the sealing leg 28, and the sealinglip 44 a of corner sealing portion 44 is molded to or at the truncatedend of inner lip 28 c, while the sealing lip 34 c of lower sealing leg34 is truncated or shortened or cut relative to the length of the body34 a of the sealing leg 34, and the sealing lip 44 a of corner sealingportion 44 is molded to or at the truncated end of inner lip 34 c. Thecurved sealing lip 44 a thus provides a curved continuous transitionbetween the generally vertically oriented lower end of the side sealinglip 28 c and the generally horizontally oriented end of the lowersealing lip 34 c. The corner sealing portion 44 also includes a corneror base portion 44 b that is partially overmolded over the body portions28 a, 34 a of the sealing legs 28, 34 to substantially retain cornersealing portion 44 at the sealing legs 28, 34 and to substantiallyretain the sealing legs in the generally perpendicular arrangement orconfiguration relative to one another.

With respect to the corner sealing portion 40 at the junction of uppersealing leg 30 and side sealing leg 32, and as best shown in FIG. 8B,the sealing portion 40 includes a curved portion 40 a and includes anupper sealing lip 40 b and a side sealing lip 40 c. As shown in FIG. 8B,the sealing lip 30 c of upper sealing leg 30 is truncated or shortenedor cut relative to the length of the body 30 a of the sealing leg 30,and the inner sealing lip 32 c of sealing leg 32 is truncated orshortened or cut relative to the outer sealing lip 32 d and the body 32a of the sealing leg 32. The upper sealing lip 40 b is molded to orformed at the end of the truncated sealing lip 30 c of upper sealing leg30, while the side sealing lip 40 c is molded to or formed at the upperend of the truncated inner sealing lip 32 c of side leg 32. In theillustrated embodiment, the sealing lips 40 b, 40 c are joined togetherto form a continuous seal at the corner region, while the curved portion40 a provides a partial seal and a curved continuous transition betweenthe generally vertically oriented upper end of the side sealing leg 32and the generally horizontally oriented end of the upper sealing leg 30.The corner sealing portion 40 also includes a corner or base portion 40d that is partially overmolded over the body portions 30 a, 32 a of thesealing legs 30, 32 to substantially retain corner sealing portion 40 atthe sealing legs 30, 32 and to substantially retain the sealing legs inthe generally perpendicular arrangement or configuration relative to oneanother.

Similarly, and as best shown in FIG. 8C, the corner sealing portion 42includes a curved portion 42 a and includes a lower sealing lip 42 b anda side sealing lip 42 c. As shown in FIG. 8C, the sealing lip 34 c oflower sealing leg 34 is truncated or shortened or cut relative to thelength of the body 34 a of the sealing leg 34, and the inner sealing lip32 c of sealing leg 32 is truncated or shortened or cut relative to theouter sealing lip 32 d and the body 32 a of the sealing leg 32. Thelower sealing lip 42 b of corner sealing portion 42 is molded to orformed at the end of the truncated sealing lip 34 c of lower sealing leg34, while the side sealing lip 42 c is molded to or formed at the lowerend of the truncated inner sealing lip 32 c of side leg 32. In theillustrated embodiment, the sealing lips 42 b, 42 c are joined togetherto form a continuous seal at the corner region, while the curved portion42 a provides a partial seal and a curved continuous transition betweenthe generally vertically oriented lower end of the side sealing leg 32and the generally horizontally oriented end of the lower sealing leg 34.The corner sealing portion 42 also includes a corner or base portion 42d that is partially overmolded over the body portions 32 a, 34 a of thesealing legs 32, 34 to substantially retain corner sealing portion 42 atthe sealing legs 32, 34 and to substantially retain the sealing legs inthe generally perpendicular arrangement or configuration relative to oneanother.

Thus, the perimeter seal of the present invention may be unitarilyformed to provide a single, continuous perimeter seal about an openingof a rear slider window assembly (or other type of window assembly). Thesealing legs may comprise extruded sealing elements that are extruded orotherwise formed of a flexible rubber material (or any suitable sealingmaterial), and the corner sealing portions may be overmolded at theabutting ends or adjacent ends of the sealing legs. For example, theextruded sealing elements may be formed (and optionally the appropriatesealing lips may be cut back or shortened or truncated so as to notextend the full length of the sealing elements) and may be placed in amold or mold cavity, so that the elongated body portions of the sealinglegs abut one another at the corners of the perimeter seal (such as canbe seen with reference to FIGS. 8A-D). The corner sealing portions maythen be molded (such as via injection molded or the like) at and overthe end portions of the abutted sealing legs to join the sealing legsand to form the curved sealing lip or portion and optionally theextended portions of the truncated or shortened or reduced sealing lipsof the extruded sealing legs. When formed in this manner, the perimeterseal comprises a unitary perimeter seal that may be attached or adheredto the glass surface of the fixed window panel so that the perimeterseal provides a continuous sealing lip about its periphery and fullycircumscribes the opening of the window with a continuous sealing lip.Thus, the present invention provides for enhanced sealing at the windowseal with no gaps between sealing lips or elements arranged around thewindow opening.

The movable or slider window panel 20 is thus movable between its openedand closed positions and along the sealing elements, which maintainsealing engagement with the window panel as it moves along the rails 22,24 of the window assembly. The movable window panel may be movable viaany suitable means, such as via manual pushing or pulling at the windowpanel and/or in response to actuation of a drive motor of a drive motorassembly or system, which may move cables or wires of cable assembliesrelative to a sheath of the cable assemblies or the like to imparthorizontal movement of the slider window panel 20 along the rails 22,24. Optionally, the drive motor assembly may utilize aspects of thedrive assemblies of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,920,698;4,995,195; 5,146,712; 5,531,046; 5,572,376; 6,955,009 and/or 7,073,293,and/or U.S. Publication Nos. 2004-0020131 and/or 2008-0127563, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The benefits of embodiments of the slider window assembly of the presentinvention may also be realized in vehicular movable window assembliesother than a rear slider window assembly for a pickup truck or the like,such as (for example) a slider window assembly suitable for use as amovable side window for a vehicle such as a van or a bus. The windowassembly may utilize aspects of the elements and window assembliesdescribed in International Publication Nos. WO 2012/037190 and/or WO2012/088287, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Although shown and described as a horizontally movable center windowthat moves relative to a pair of opposite side windows (such as forapplications at the rear of a cab of a pickup truck or the like), it isenvisioned that the present invention is applicable to other types ofmovable window assemblies, such as horizontally movable window panelsthat move relative to a single fixed window panel and/or frames (such asfor a rear or side opening of a vehicle or the like), and/or such asvertically movable window panels that move relative to one or more fixedpanels and/or frames (such as for a rear or side opening of a vehicle orthe like), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Optionally, the fixed window panel and movable window panel of thewindow assembly of the present invention may include one or moreelectrically conductive elements, such as heater grids or the like,which may be powered utilizing aspects of the window assembliesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,695 and/or International PublicationNo. WO 2012/037190, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. The window assembly may include a heater grid on eachof the fixed window panels and on the movable window panels, with aheating system that provides power to the heater grid on the movablewindow panel irrespective of the position of the movable window panelrelative to the fixed window panel and throughout the range of movementof the movable window panel between its opened and closed positions,such as by utilizing aspects of the window assemblies described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,402,695 and/or International Publication No. WO 2012/037190,incorporated above.

Optionally, the window assembly or assemblies of the present inventionmay utilize aspects of the window assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,402,695; 7,073,293; 7,003,916; 6,119,401; 6,026,611; 5,996,284;5,799,444 and/or 6,691,464, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. 2006-0107600;2008-0127563; 2004-0020131 and/or 2003-0213179, and/or InternationalPublication Nos. WO 2012/037190; WO 2012/088287 and/or WO 2012/148968,all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A method of forming a unitary perimeter seal for attachment at afixed window panel of a slider window assembly of a vehicle, saidunitary perimeter seal configured to slidingly seal against a movablewindow panel of said slider window assembly, said method comprising:extruding an upper sealing portion, a lower sealing portion, a firstside sealing portion and a second side sealing portion, wherein saidupper sealing portion, said lower sealing portion, said first sidesealing portion and said second side sealing portion each have elongatedbody portions and sealing lips extending substantially therealong;arranging said upper sealing portion with one of its ends adjacent anend of said first side sealing portion and another of its ends adjacentan end of said second side sealing portion; arranging said lower sealingportion with one of its ends adjacent another end of said first sidesealing portion and another of its ends adjacent another end of saidsecond side sealing portion; wherein the steps of arranging said upperand lower sealing portions with their ends adjacent respective ends ofsaid first and second side sealing portions results in a perimeter framethat circumscribes an opening for a slider window assembly of a vehicle;and molding corner regions at and partially over adjacent ends of saidelongated body portions of said sealing portions, wherein said cornerregions comprise a curved sealing lip that provides a transition betweensaid sealing lips of said adjacent ends of said sealing portions.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, comprising truncating said sealing lips of at leastsome of said sealing portions, and wherein the step of molding cornerregions comprises molding said curved sealing lip at and betweentruncated ends of said sealing lips of said adjacent ends of saidsealing portions.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of moldingcorner regions comprises molding a sealing lip along said elongated bodyportion of at least one of said sealing portions between a truncated endof said sealing lip of said at least one of said sealing portions andthe end of said elongated body portion of said at least one of saidsealing portions.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising establishing anadhesive strip along said body portion of each of said sealing portionsat a surface of said elongated body portion opposite said sealing lip.5. The method of claim 1, wherein said upper sealing portion, a lowersealing portion, a first side sealing portion and a second side sealingportion are extruded as separate individual sealing portions.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of molding corner regions comprisesmolding a corner body portion partially over body portions of adjacentelongated sealing portions to join and retain said adjacent elongatedsealing portions relative to one another and form the unitary perimeterseal that circumscribes the opening.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinsaid curved sealing lip of at least some of said corner regions extendsfrom the respective body portion.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of extruding one of said elongated sealing portions comprisesextruding a Y-shaped sealing lip, and wherein said Y-shaped sealing liphas an outer lip and an inner lip closer to said opening than said outerlip.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said curved sealing lip of saidmolded corner regions at opposite ends of said one of said elongatedsealing portions comprises an arcuate shaped single sealing lip thatprovides a curved transition between said inner lip of said Y-shapedsealing lip and another sealing lip of an adjacent elongated sealingportion that is adjacent to a respective one of the ends of said one ofsaid elongated sealing portions.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein saidinner lip of said Y-shaped sealing lip is truncated so as to not extendto the ends of said one of said elongated body portions, and whereinsaid curved sealing lips of said corner sealing portions provide acontinuous sealing lip between truncated ends of said inner sealing lipand respective ends of the adjacent elongated sealing portions.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of extruding one of said elongatedsealing portions comprises extruding a double sealing lip having anouter lip and an inner lip closer to said opening than said outer lip,and wherein said curved sealing lips of said corner regions at oppositeends of said one of said elongated sealing portions comprise arcuateshaped single sealing lips that provide a curved transition between saidinner lip of said double sealing lip and another sealing lip of anadjacent elongated sealing portion that is adjacent to a respective oneof the ends of said one of said elongated sealing portions.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said sealing lip of each of said elongatedsealing portions is truncated so as to not extend to the ends of saidelongated body portion, and wherein said corner regions are molded atsaid adjacent ends of said elongated sealing portions to provide acontinuous sealing lip between truncated sealing lips of the adjacentelongated sealing portions.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said atleast one fixed window panel comprises a single fixed window panelhaving an opening therethrough, and wherein said perimeter seal isadhesively attached at a surface of the single fixed window panel aroundthe opening through the single fixed window.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein said at least one fixed window panel comprises first and secondfixed window panels defining an opening therebetween, and wherein saidperimeter seal is adhesively attached at respective surfaces of thefirst and second fixed window panels and at respective surfaces of upperand lower appliqués so as to be attached around the opening between thefirst and second fixed windows.
 15. A method of forming a unitaryperimeter seal for attachment at a fixed window panel of a slider windowassembly of a vehicle, said unitary perimeter seal configured toslidingly seal against a movable window panel of said slider windowassembly, said method comprising: forming an upper sealing portionhaving an elongated body portion and a sealing lip extendingsubstantially therealong; forming a lower sealing portion having anelongated body portion and a sealing lip extending substantiallytherealong; forming a first side sealing portion having an elongatedbody portion and a Y-shaped sealing lip extending substantiallytherealong; forming a second side sealing portion having an elongatedbody portion and a double sealing lip extending substantiallytherealong; arranging said upper sealing portion with one of its endsadjacent an end of said first side sealing portion and another of itsends adjacent an end of said second side sealing portion; arranging saidlower sealing portion with one of its ends adjacent another end of saidfirst side sealing portion and another of its ends adjacent another endof said second side sealing portion; wherein the steps of arranging saidupper and lower sealing portions with their ends adjacent respectiveends of said first and second side sealing portions results in aperimeter frame that circumscribes an opening for a slider windowassembly of a vehicle; wherein said Y-shaped sealing lip has an outerlip and an inner lip closer to said opening than said outer lip, andwherein said double sealing lip has an outer lip and an inner lip closerto said opening than said outer lip; molding corner regions at andpartially over adjacent ends of said elongated body portions of saidsealing portions, wherein said corner regions comprise a curved sealinglip that provides a transition between said sealing lips of saidadjacent ends of said sealing portions; wherein said curved sealing lipbetween an upper end of said first side sealing portion and an adjacentend of said upper sealing portion provides a transition between saidinner lip of said Y-shaped sealing lip and said sealing lip of saidupper sealing portion; wherein said curved sealing lip between a lowerend of said first side sealing portion and an adjacent end of said lowersealing portion provides a transition between said inner lip of saidY-shaped sealing lip and said sealing lip of said lower sealing portion;wherein said curved sealing lip between an upper end of said second sidesealing portion and an adjacent end of said upper sealing portionprovides a transition between said inner lip of said double sealing lipand said sealing lip of said upper sealing portion; and wherein saidcurved sealing lip between a lower end of said second side sealingportion and an adjacent end of said lower sealing portion provides atransition between said inner lip of said double sealing lip and saidsealing lip of said lower sealing portion.
 16. The method of claim 15,comprising truncating said sealing lips of at least some of said sealingportions, and wherein the step of molding corner regions comprisesmolding said curved sealing lip at and between truncated ends of saidsealing lips of said adjacent ends of said sealing portions.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the step of truncating said sealing lipscomprises truncating said inner lip of said Y-shaped sealing lip at bothends of said first side sealing portion.
 18. The method of claim 16,wherein the step of truncating said sealing lips comprises truncatingsaid inner lip of said double sealing lip at both ends of said secondside sealing portion.
 19. The method of claim 15, comprisingestablishing an adhesive strip along said body portion of each of saidsealing portions at a surface of said elongated body portion oppositesaid sealing lip.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step ofmolding corner regions comprises molding a corner body portion partiallyover body portions of adjacent elongated sealing portions to join andretain said adjacent elongated sealing portions relative to one anotherand form the unitary perimeter seal that circumscribes the opening.